Religious/Creed-Based Days of Observance

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has a strong commitment to human rights, equity and inclusion, and recognizes and respects the diversity across our faith and cultural communities. Throughout the year, many OCDSB students and staff members may be absent from school or work to observe a particular religious/creed date or date of cultural significance. To better meet the needs of students, staff members, and families, the OCDSB avoids scheduling events, evaluations, field trips, and other important activities on many of these dates. The information below provides guidance for the observance of faith days and dates of significance by all schools and workplaces in the District.

Starred Dates 

“Starred Dates” represent dates of observance identified as most significant to faith and spiritual groups served by the District. Events should not be scheduled on these dates, for staff or for students, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances. Exceptions are sometimes made in the case of extended field trips, which are made with Superintendent approval and take into consideration the impact to students and staff participating, the availability of learning opportunities and their educational value. “Starred Dates” are reflected in the chart below. 

2023

Date
 Days of Observance
 Faith or Observed by

September 16 & 17, 2023 *

Rosh Hashanah

Judaism

(Commence on evening of Sept. 15)

September 25, 2023*

Yom Kippur

Judaism

(Commence on evening of Sept. 24)

September 30, 2023*

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)

Indigenous

October 24, 2023*

Dussehra (Vijayadashami)

Hinduism

November 12, 2023*

Diwali

Hinduism

December 25, 2023*

Christmas

Christianity


2024

Date Days of Observance
Faith or Observed by

January 7, 2024 *

Christmas – Feast of the Nativity

Christian (Orthodox)

February 10, 2024 *

Lunar New Year - Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean New Year

Buddhism/ Confucian/Daoism

March 29, 2024 *

Good Friday

Christianity

March 31, 2024 *

Easter

Christianity

April 10, 11, 12 2024 *

Eid-al-Fitr **

(End of Ramadan)

Islam (3 days Holy Days)

(Commence on evening of Apr. 9/10)

April 20 2024 *

Ridvan

Bahá’i (12-day Festival)

(Commence on evening of April 19)

April 23 & 24 *

April 29 & 30 *

Pesach (Passover)

Judaism (Commence on evening of April 22)

First two and last two days are observed as holy days

May 3, 2024 *

Holy Friday

Christianity (Orthodox)

May 5, 2024*

Orthodox Easter

Christianity (Orthodox)

June 17, 18, 19, 20 2024 *

Eid-al-Adha **

Islam (4 days Holy Days)

(Commence on evening of June 16/17)

July 16, 2024 *

Ashura **

Islam (Commence on evening of July 15)

 

 Note:  * Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month 
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sunset on the preceding day.


For some observances there are a range of days considered Holy or of significance. These are provided where applicable in the third column for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.


Dates of Observance 

The “Dates of Observance” listed in the chart below represent dates, or a range of dates, that should also be considered (in addition to the Starred Dates above) when scheduling events in schools and across the District, in order to avoid impacting students and staff who may be observing them.


2023

Date Days of Observance
Faith or Observed by

Sept 30 - Oct 6, 2023

Sukkot

Judaism (Commence on evening of Sept. 29)

October 8, 2023

Simchat Torah

Judaism (Commence on evening of Oct. 7)

November 16, 2023

Louis Riel Day

Indigenous

November 27, 2023

Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Sikhism

December 1, 2023

Nunatsiavut Day

Indigenous

December 8 - 15, 2023

Hanukkah

Judaism (Commence on evening of Dec. 7)


2024

Date
Days of Observance
Faith or Observed by

January 5, 2024

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Sikhism

January 15, 2024

Makar Sankranti

Hinduism

February 14, 2024

Ash Wednesday

Christianity

February 24, 2024

Magha Puja Day

Buddhism

March 20, 2024

Naw Ruz

Bahá’i (Commence on evening of March 19)

March 21, 2024

Nowruz (Ismaili)

Islam (Commence on evening of March 20)

March 21, 2024

Nowruz (New Year’s Day)

Persian New Year

Zoroastrianism

March 24, 2024

Purim

Judaism (Commence on evening of March 23)

March 25, 2024

Holi

Hinduism

 April 13, 2024 Vaisakhi  Sikhism

May 23, 2024

Wesak/Vesak

Buddhist (Date based on local/regional customs)

June 12 & 13, 2024

Shavuot

Judaism (Commence on evening of June 11)

June 21, 2024

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Indigenous

July 7, 2024

First of Muharram**

Islam (Commence on evening of July 6)

July 9, 2024

Martyrdom of The Báb

Bahá’í (Commence on evening of July 8)

August 13, 2024

Tish’a B’Av

Judaism (Commence on evening of Aug. 12)


 Note:  * Tentative dates subject to the sighting of the moon each month 
** Local or regional customs may use a variation of this date
All Islamic, Jewish and Bahá'i Holy days commence at sunset on the preceding day.


For some observances there are a range of days considered Holy or of significance. These are provided where applicable in the third column for information purposes and are not considered Starred Days.

MultiFaith Calendar and Additional Dates 

There are many additional dates of religious, cultural, educational, and identity-based significance throughout the year. Information about these dates may be included in class lessons, shared on social media, posted on the District website, or shared in other channels. These dates provide important opportunities to learn about the histories, celebrations, and challenges faced by various communities.

Please note, the dates reflected on this page are not meant to be exhaustive and may be updated as dates are changed or confirmed. If you would like to request that a particular date be added or ask a question, please use this Google Form.

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